The National Weather Service has placed most of the state under a Winter Weather Warning until Friday at noon. The rest of the state is under a Winter Weather Advisory. The most recent NWS weather advisories across the state are compiled on the Oklahoma Mesonet.
The forecasts for how much snow will accumulate have crept up throughout the day. Preliminary reports show Chickasha, Ada and Durant received a whopping 4 to 6 inches Thursday morning, blowing past early forecast totals for the entire day. Southeast Oklahoma could receive up to a foot by the time the snow stops falling. Find the most recent snowfall forecasts from your NWS Office or on the Mesonet.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol encourages people to avoid driving if possible and travel with caution if not. In a Facebook post, OHP said Hwy 77 was blocked south of Turner Falls due to a jackknifed semi-truck. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation said southbound I-35 was also entirely closed in the Davis area Thursday afternoon following a crash.
“As of this morning, our firefighters have responded to 27 vehicle accidents,” the Oklahoma City Fire Department said in a post on social media. “Drive slowly, maintain extra distance from the vehicle in front of you, brake gently, and make gradual movements to avoid skidding.”
As of midday Thursday, Oklahomans hadn’t seen any widespread power outages. A frequently updated map of power outages is available from PowerOutage.us.
Gov. Kevin Stitt announced a coordinated effort between state and local agencies. He authorized the Oklahoma National Guard to work with state troopers to respond to motor vehicle accidents. Those accident response teams are working out of McAlester and Durant, which have seen some of the state’s highest snow totals.
Stitt also said Oklahoma Emergency Management had increased staffing levels at the State Emergency Operations Center and in the field.
Here are tips and resources provided by Stitt’s office:
For Drivers:
- Equip your vehicle with emergency supplies such as blankets, water, and a flashlight.
- Stay at least 200 feet behind road-clearing equipment and avoid passing; crews need room to operate safely.
- Make sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled up.
- Allow extra space between vehicles to ensure safe braking distances.
- Watch for black ice, which can appear as wet spots on the road but is a thin layer of ice.
- Plan trips ahead, be patient, and allow extra time to reach your destination.
Additional Recommendations and Resources:
- Check on friends, family, and neighbors, especially the elderly, disabled, or those living alone.
- Monitor weather updates through trusted sources, including local news.
- View live road conditions here, or look for road conditions on the Drive Oklahoma mobile app.
Social Media Feeds for Further Updates:
- Oklahoma National Guard
- Department of Emergency Management
- Oklahoma Department of Transportation
- Oklahoma Highway Patrol/DPS
Snowfall is expected to stop Friday morning, and temperatures are expected to warm to the mid-30s.
